Mickey Arthur sacked by Australia 16 days before the start of the Ashes

Australia have sacked coach Mickey Arthur just over two weeks before the start of the Ashes series against England.

Last Updated: 24/06/13 1:02pm

Mickey Arthur: Has been sacked according to reports

The South African had been under increasing pressure due his side's performances on the field, as well as for the disciplinary issues which have dogged the team in India and England.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland and team performance manager Pat Howard are to hold a press conference in Bristol later on Monday where they will "discuss the coaching structure of the Australian team".

However it is believed they will confirm Arthur has been relieved of his duties, with Darren Lehmann taking over the reins.

Former Australia all-rounder Lehmann is already in England with the Australia A team - with the Queensland coach perfectly place to slot straight in.

Arthur, the former South Africa coach, was appointed as head coach in 2011 following the 3-1 Ashes defeat.

Discipline

The 45-year-old initially had some encouraging results at the start, however Arthur and the side have been beset by problems in recent months.

And a combination of 'homework-gate', a 4-0 drubbing by India, David Warner's disciplinary issues and the ICC Champions Trophy appear to have cost Arthur his job.

'Homework-gate' saw Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja axed for the third Test in India after failing to supply views on how the side could improve, while Warner was involved in two separate breaches of discipline.

The opener was fined for a Twitter row with Australian journalists, while he was then suspended for attacking England's Joe Root on a night out following the Champions Trophy defeat.

Australia are due to start their preparations for the Ashes with a four-day tour match against Somerset on Wednesday.